Madison Baynard, of Chiefland, competed recently at the 2014 NBHA Youth World Championships in Perry, Ga. This invitation-only event is the largest youth barrel race in the world.

The NBHA Youth World participants numbered over 1,100 in the Teen Division (13 and over) and approximately 800 participants in the Youth Division (12 and under). The contestants ran for over $300,000 in cash and prizes. Prizes included 4-Star Trailers, Alamo Champion saddles, Gist buckles, Drysdales Championship gear bags, Tony Lama boots and many other prizes.

Officers with the Florida Fish and Wildlife Conservation Commission (FWC) arrested two Clay County teenagers July 25 on charges of torturing a gopher tortoise.

Danielle Susan Dionne, 15, and Jennifer Emoke Greene, 18, have been arrested on charges of felony cruelty to animals, a third-degree felony, and taking, harassing, harming or killing a gopher tortoise, a second-degree misdemeanor.

The recreational red snapper season in Gulf state waters closes Tuesday, July 15, with the last day of harvest being Monday, July 14. Florida state waters in the Gulf are from shore to 9 nautical miles.

Several workshops on Gulf of Mexico recreational red snapper are planned for late July. The public is invited to discuss state and federal management of recreational red snapper and to explore future approaches for managing this fishery. Visit MyFWC.com/Fishing and click on “Saltwater,” “Rulemaking” and “Workshops” to learn more.